It’s hard to focus on getting good grades in high school when you are sleeping on the floor at night without enough blankets to keep you warm.
“Ricky” was doing just that. He had been renting floor space from a relative for several months and had been cold and uncomfortable. He didn’t have money or support in meeting his basic needs. He didn’t have adequate housing or stability.
Ricky could have become a runaway and stepped onto the path to homelessness, or succumbed to the promises of gangs who prey upon high school students living marginal lives. Instead, he came into our Culmore Teen Center, a program of Second Story in the Community. He asked for help with getting blankets, hygiene products, and clothing. Staff at the Culmore Teen Center were able to get Ricky sheets, blankets, and a sleeping bag immediately so that he could get quality sleep that is essential to good health. Ricky began visiting the Culmore Teen Center every day.
Slowly, Ricky improved his English language skills and increased his self-confidence and motivation. Ricky is full of gratitude for the Culmore Teen Center and the new hope it has given him.
Young people like Ricky with little adult supervision are at risk of becoming runaways. Second Story helps young people like Ricky change their course and write a new story.
